Last December, I found myself staring at a pile of cardboard boxes leftover from online holiday shopping.

My house was already brimming with decorations, but I wanted something unique to add a personal touch.

That’s when I thought of crafting a Santa sleigh from scratch. It sounded ambitious at first, but I couldn’t resist the challenge. 

Materials Needed

You need to prepare:

• Cardboard sheets: two large pieces (24 inches x 16 inches), one long piece (18 inches x 8 inches), four small strips (6 inches x 2 inches), four runner pieces (18 inches x 3 inches)
• Craft knife and scissors
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Masking tape
• Ruler and pencil
• Paint: acrylic in red, gold, and white
• Glitter: gold and silver
• Ribbon and faux fur
• Mini bells

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Santa Sleigh

Step 1: Drawing and Cutting the Sleigh Design

To ensure accuracy, you first sketch the sleigh’s components on the cardboard. Here’s the breakdown:

• Side panels: I drew two identical sleigh profiles, each measuring 24 inches in length and 16 inches tall at the back curl. The curved design was the trickiest part, but I used a bowl to trace smooth arcs for the scrolls.
• Runners: Each runner was 18 inches long and 3 inches wide. The front ends curled upward for that classic sleigh look.
• Base and connectors: The base was a simple rectangle, 18 inches long and 8 inches wide. The connector strips were small rectangles, 6 inches by 2 inches.

After sketching, carefully cut each piece using a craft knife.

Step 2: Assembling the Sleigh Frame

First, I glued two runner pieces together for extra durability, then set them aside to dry. The 18x8-inch base was glued securely between the runners, creating a stable foundation.

Next, I glued the two large side panels to the edges of the base, ensuring they were perfectly aligned. Masking tape along the inner seams prevented any wobbling.

Finally, the 6x2-inch strips were glued vertically between the runners and the sleigh’s side panels, acting as braces for extra support.

Step 3: Decorating the Sleigh

I coated the entire body in bright red acrylic paint. The runners and edges were painted gold for a festive contrast. I also used white paint to highlight the scrolls and add a frosty effect.

Next, I sprinkled gold glitter over the freshly painted runners and used silver glitter to accentuate the frosty white edges of the sleigh. This gave the sleigh a shimmering, magical look that sparkled under the lights.

I then filled the sleigh with mini gift boxes wrapped in festive paper, a burlap sack to mimic Santa’s gift bag, and faux pine branches for a wintery touch.